EasyJet could take private course

Monday 5 July 2004 15:56 BST

EASYJET founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is considering taking the firm private. His family still owns around 41% of the no-frills airline business. A price war and rising fuel costs mean the shares have nosedived.

The company's shares plunged to an all-time low recently as the airline warned it could miss profit forecasts by a mile.

The group said its interim results were being damaged by 'unprofitable and unrealistic pricing' by rivals. The Luton-based carrier said its full-year profits may only just exceed last year's figures.